Estimated Quarterly Taxes, Explained
The IRS doesn't wait until April for freelancers. Here's who has to pay quarterly, when, how much — and how to skip the penalty.
Who has to pay
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year after any withholding, you're supposed to make estimated payments. Because freelancers have no employer withholding taxes for them, most full-time self-employed people and 1099 contractors qualify. If freelancing is a small side gig and your W-2 job over-withholds, you might not — but check the math.
The 2026 due dates
- Q1 — April 15, 2026
- Q2 — June 15, 2026
- Q3 — September 15, 2026
- Q4 — January 15, 2027
Each payment covers the income you earned in that period. Miss one and interest starts accruing, even if you pay in full later.
How much to send
The simplest approach: estimate your total tax for the year (income tax + self-employment tax) and pay a quarter of it by each date. If your income is uneven, you can pay based on what you actually earned that quarter.
Get your quarterly number. The Quarterly Tax Calculator estimates your total tax and splits it across the remaining deadlines — and shows how to catch up if you're behind.
The safe-harbor shortcut
You avoid the underpayment penalty if you pay at least 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's total (110% if last year's income was high). The last-year rule is popular because it's a known number: take your prior-year tax, divide by four, and pay that each quarter — no forecasting required.
How to actually pay
The easiest way is IRS Direct Pay or the EFTPS system online — free, instant, and no forms. Most states with income tax have their own online portal for state estimates.
The takeaway
Expecting to owe $1,000+? Pay four times a year on the dates above, aim for the safe-harbor amount, and set the money aside as you earn it. It turns tax season into a formality.
General information, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay quarterly taxes?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in tax for the year after withholding, the IRS wants estimated payments four times a year. Most full-time freelancers and 1099 contractors fall into this bucket.
When are 2026 quarterly taxes due?
For 2026 income: April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. If a date lands on a weekend or holiday it shifts to the next business day.
How do I avoid the underpayment penalty?
Use the safe harbor: pay at least 90% of this year’s tax, or 100% of last year’s total tax (110% if your prior-year income was high). Meet either and the IRS won’t penalize you even if you owe more at filing.